Netanyahu’s New York UN visit sees unusual US Secret Service security involvement

Unusual security measures have been implemented for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's upcoming visit to the UN General Assembly in New York, according to a diplomatic source. The source revealed that the US Secret Service is playing an unusual role in the preparations. In a departure from his usual routine, Netanyahu will be arriving at Newark Airport in New Jersey, rather than the customary JFK Airport in Queens.

The source dismissed suggestions that this change in travel arrangements could be influenced by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani or concerns over a potential provocation. Instead, the shift in location appears to be due to discussions between the airport authorities and security personnel regarding the aircraft's parking and security arrangements for the visit.

Netanyahu is scheduled to arrive in New York on September 23, 2023, and deliver a speech at the UN at 9 p.m. Israel time before departing the following day. The diplomatic source added that Netanyahu will be returning to Israel before the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, which begins on September 25. A preparatory delegation from Netanyahu's office and the VIP security unit arrived in New York on Tuesday night to finalize the details of the visit.

In a previous statement, Mamdani expressed his belief that Netanyahu should be tried at The Hague for alleged war crimes, citing his recent actions as the basis for his stance. However, the mayor clarified that the United States does not have the legal authority to enforce the warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against Netanyahu. Despite this, Mamdani maintained that Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City.